Spices provide you with so many health benefits. Invest in some little spice jars, filling your kitchen cupboard with a spread of lovely healing spices. They not only add another dimension to your dishes, but they can help prevent disease and even begin to heal you.
Spices have been used for a variety of purposes throughout history, including medicine. This is due to all of the incredible things they do for both your body and your mind. The majority of diseases are caused by inflammation and oxidation. Spices contain compounds that fight these factors. This is backed by thousands of studies.
You should be consuming a diet that is high in fruits, vegetables, and legumes. However, spices are just as important. They’re a key ingredient in many dishes, so start cooking with some of the following spices to boost your health.
Healing Spices to Keep In Your Kitchen
1. Cinnamon
Diabetes is a growing concern. This has a lot to do with poor diet and lack of exercise. It’s crucial that you manage your blood sugar, as high blood sugar is also detrimental to your cardiovascular health. Cinnamon helps to control blood sugar levels.
It is also noted in preventing and treating cancer, cholesterol, hypertension, stroke (as it reduces your risk of blood clots), ulcers, and wounds. When possible, buy whole sticks and grind them as needed. If you’re buying ground, choose an option that has been ground from the whole quills (or sticks). The next time you cook a soup or stew, simmer one quill within this dish. You can also sprinkle it on your fruit, use it as a rub, or make a spiced tea.
2. Cayenne
Cayenne gives your dishes that extra kick while providing a variety of healing spices benefits. In fact, a compound in cayenne is an active ingredient in many present prescription and over-the-counter creams. These creams target arthritis, muscle, and nerve pain.
Cayenne works as both an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory. Whenever you’re sick with a cold or flu, sprinkle cayenne onto your soup. It shrinks the blood vessels found in your throat and nose. This relieves congestion. It is also believed to boost metabolism, reduce blood sugar levels, and potentially aid in cancer treatment.
3. Paprika
This bright red spice helps to regulate blood sugar while providing antibacterial properties. It is high in vitamin A, iron, vitamin E, and carotenoids. This helps keep your eyes healthy while maintaining healthy cell development. It also contains high levels of vitamin C, which is essential for healing spices.
4. Ginger
Ginger has long been used to treat nausea and motion sickness. When we feel nauseous, the hormone vasopressin is released. When individuals consume ginger, the release of vasopressin is reduced. It is also known to maintain blood pressure and aid in digestion. When possible, buy fresh ginger. If you’re a green tea drinker, add a slice of ginger to your mug.
5. Chili Powder
Chili powder is bright in color and just as bold in flavor. It has anti-inflammatory properties that aid in achy joints and pains. It is also known to boost metabolism.
6. Cumin
This beautiful spice helps relieve gas, which can be uncomfortable or even painful. In relation, it is known to help maintain a healthy digestive tract. It also soothes the body, helping you sleep better.
7. Turmeric
In India, turmeric paste is applied to wounds, speeding the healing process. Once again, turmeric contains a potent compound (curcumin) that provides both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
Curcumin has been shown to inhibit tumor cell growth, which is exciting for cancer research. It also shrinks tumor cells and prevents the necessary blood supply for cancer cells to grow. This has been published in more than 1000 studies. It has also been widely studied regarding heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes.
8. Mustard
This is not the mustard you put on your hot dogs. Mustard seed helps with circulation, provides anti-inflammatory properties, and is known to have laxative effects. The anti-inflammatory properties are due to high levels of selenium and magnesium. They also reduce anxiety, the severity of asthma, and
prevent heart attacks.
9. Coriander
Coriander is not the same as cilantro. Cilantro comes from the leaves of the plant, while coriander comes from the seed. Within the seed, there are two potent antioxidants. Antioxidants provide a wide variety of benefits. They protect your cells, keeping you healthy, and preventing disease.
Coriander is noted in digestion research. It is believed that it relaxes contracted muscles that cause painful symptoms for those with IBS and other digestive disorders. The same is believed to be true for arteries, effectively lowering blood pressure. It has also been shown to prevent and treat colon cancer, eczema, insomnia, ulcers, and type II diabetes.
It’s more beneficial to buy coriander seeds, as the powerful oils (which contain antioxidants) dissipate after several months in its ground form. This spice is great in a rub or a paste. You can use it to pickle vegetables, put it in your pepper mill, or use it in marinades.
10. Saffron
This is the most expensive spice, but it is well worth it. They not only help you heal, but they preserve levels of three critical neurotransmitters; dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. It has been shown that saffron protects individuals against Alzheimer’s, cancer, anxiety, PMS, and insomnia.
Although spices have incredible benefits, they’re not magic. You need to follow a healthy lifestyle in order to maximize the benefits they bring. Get into the habit of cooking with a variety of spices. You will find that they bring bold flavors, while they tend to your overall health.
